1968 Grange

Sourced from the Barossa Valley (including Kalimna Vineyard), Magill Estate (Adelaide), Clare Valley, Adelaide Hills and Coonawarra. Shiraz (94%), Cabernet Sauvignon (6%).

Hot, dry vintage with growing season rainfall down more than 20% on average.

Eighteen months in used American oak hogsheads.

Max Schubert, Penfolds chief winemaker

81/100

Although this was considered to be one of the lightest Grange Hermitages, the wine spent more time in oak casks (20 rather than 16–18 months) than in any other vintage in an effort by the late Max Schubert to fatten the wine.

It would appear his gamble did not pay off, as this is the most mediocre wine in the Grange Hermitage portfolio. The wine is clumsy from beginning to end, with dusty, coarse tannin, fading fruit, a hole in the middle, and an austere finish.

The great opulence, flesh, lavishly rich fruit, and thick texture for which Grange is famous is nowhere to be found.

Robert M. Parker Jr., www.erobertparker.com, August 1995

85/100

Harvey Steiman, www.winespectator.com, 31 January 1997

94/100

Jeremy Oliver, www.jeremyoliver.com